Social Security Questions and Answers

Q.
When a person who has worked and paid Social Security taxes dies, who is eligible for survivor's benefits?

A.
Social Security survivor's benefits can be paid to:
* A widow or widower -- full benefits at full retirement age, or reduced benefits as early as age 60
* A disabled widow or widower -- as early as age 50
* A widow or widower at any age if he or she takes care of the deceased's child who is under age 16 or disabled and who is receiving Social Security benefits
* Unmarried children under 18, or up to age 19 if they are attending high school full time. Benefits can be paid to adopted children and, under certain circumstances, to stepchildren or grandchildren
* Children at any age who were disabled before age 22 and remain disabled
* Dependent parents age 62 or older

Even if you are divorced, you still may qualify for survivor's benefits from a deceased spouse. For more information, visit www.socialsecurity.gov.

Q.
I'm 72 and get Social Security. Is it true that I no longer need to take mandatory IRA withdrawals?

A.
Yes, but only for 2009. Mandatory withdrawals from certain retirement accounts have been waived for tax year 2009. Usually, anyone age 70 1/2 or older is required to withdraw funds from their retirement plans each year, even if the money isn't needed. These plans include 401(k)s, 403(b)s, some 457(b)s as well as IRAs and IRA-based plans such as Simple IRAs and SEPs. However, The Worker, Retiree and Employer Recovery Act of 2008 waives the requirement to withdraw funds in 2009. To learn more, visit www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-09-09.pdf.

Q.
I've heard you can apply for retirement benefits online. But isn't it easier just to go into an office?

A.
Filing online means there's no need to travel to a local Social Security office or wait for an appointment with a Social Security representative. Retiring online is easy and convenient. You can apply in as little as 15 minutes. In most cases, that's it -- no papers to sign or mail in.

Want to learn more?  Visit www.socialsecurity.gov and click on the "Retirement" tab in the top, left corner. Our Web site will:
* Walk you through the application process
* Tell you what information you'll need to answer the questions on the application and
* Describe the documents you may need to present after you apply

Q.
I'm aware that the full retirement age is going up, but what is the earliest age I can begin receiving retirement benefits?

A.
You can receive a reduced benefit as early as age 62. The 1983 Social Security Amendments raised the full retirement age beginning with people born in 1938 or later from 65 to 67. But it did not change the minimum age for retirement. Visit www.socialsecurity.gov to learn more about Social Security and to find out your own full retirement age. §

Donna Maitland is the Social Security District Manager, Gainesville, Fl